A Digital Story is a short movie, usually 2 - 5 minutes long, with the voice of the storyteller telling his or her own story.

The voice-over is supported by a combination of:

digital still photos,

scanned documents,

music,

sound effects and, sometimes,

and, when used, video.

Making a digital story does not require expensive equipment or complicated software. With a little guidance they can be made on home, classroom or business computers with relatively simple software such as iMovie (Apple Mac OSX) or MovieMaker (Windows XP and above).

Creating a digital story, especially working with others in a community, school or corporate workshop, can be a wonderfully creative and transforming process.

Participants and students can:

acquire and develop new computer, communication and creativity skills

build confidence and self esteem

increase their understanding and connection with their own and others' stories

document and publish important community, family and personal messages

enjoy an introduction to the world of multimedia and digital communication

have the satisfaction of completing a movie that communicates with all the magic of traditional storytelling.

Once made, a digital story can be burnt onto a DVD and viewed on a DVD player and TV, projected with a data projector in a home theatre, meeting room or outdoor event, up-loaded to a website to be viewed online as streaming video, even broadcast on TV.

Digtal Stories can also be uploaded to online video publishing sites such as YouTube or Vimeo. Once published they can be embedded in a website or blog.

'All over the world digital storytelling is being used as community cultural development tool giving voice to individuals and groups who are not normally heard.'